What does going first really buy in tic-tac-toe?
Every kid argues about who goes first — and whether you can be truly unbeatable. "If we both play our best, does X really win, or is it always a tie?"
Talk about it
- Before you play, guess: if you both try your hardest, does going first let you win — or just tie?
- Play a few rounds and keep score. Does the person who went first really win more, and when they do, did the other person slip?
- If a game can never be won by perfect players, is it a fair game or a boring one? Why might 'always a tie' feel unfair?